Windows getting sluggish? Microsoft PC Manager is the free official cleanup tool most people don’t know exists. Ten minutes of setup, ongoing performance boost.
Prerequisites
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 device
- Admin permission on the machine (or ask your IT team to install)
- Ten minutes
Why this matters
Windows accumulates temporary files, unused startup apps, and outdated caches over time. On a machine that’s been in service for two or three years, this can slow boot times and application launches by 30–50%.
Historically the answer was third-party tools like CCleaner. In 2026 the answer is Microsoft PC Manager — a free official app from Microsoft that does the same job without the ads, telemetry, or “premium” upsells that plague the third-party tools.
Step 1 — Install it from the Microsoft Store
Open the Microsoft Store (Start menu → Microsoft Store). Search for “PC Manager”. Click Install. It’s about 30 MB and takes under a minute.
Alternative: download from Microsoft’s official page at pcmanager.microsoft.com.
Step 2 — Run the Boost button
Open PC Manager. On the main tab you’ll see a big Boost button showing your current memory and temporary-file usage.
Click it. Within seconds it clears RAM used by inactive processes and deletes temporary files. Instant performance bump.
Step 3 — Check startup apps
Click Startup apps (in the sidebar). This shows every application that launches automatically when you boot Windows.
Look through the list. Disable anything you don’t use daily. Common offenders: Adobe updater, printer utilities, Zoom auto-start, Spotify, iTunes, OneDrive personal (if you only use OneDrive for Business).
Rule of thumb: if you don’t recognise it AND it’s marked “High impact”, search the name in Google before disabling. Otherwise, turn it off — you can always re-enable it later.
Step 4 — Free up disk space
Click Storage → Deep cleanup. PC Manager scans for old Windows update files, browser caches, Recycle Bin contents, and cached logs. Review the list, keep what you want to keep, and click Proceed.
On a laptop that’s been in service for a couple of years, this typically frees 5–20 GB.
Step 5 — Turn on process management (optional but useful)
Click Process management. This shows real-time CPU and memory usage per app. Great for spotting the browser tab that’s using 4 GB of RAM (looking at you, Slack + Teams + Chrome).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Running the Boost button constantly won’t fix a slow machine. If you’re clicking it hourly and it makes no difference, the problem is deeper (probably RAM shortage or a failing drive). Get IT to look at it.
- Disabling startup apps blindly. Windows Security, endpoint protection agents, and drivers should stay on. When in doubt, leave it.
- Confusing PC Manager with third-party “cleaner” apps. A lot of Google results for “PC Manager” push you towards CCleaner, IObit, or Advanced SystemCare. Stick with the official Microsoft one from the Microsoft Store.
When PC Manager isn’t the answer
If your machine is genuinely slow (30+ seconds to open apps, freezing regularly, fans spinning constantly), the issue is usually one of these:
- Not enough RAM for your workload — modern Microsoft 365 + Teams + browser needs at least 16 GB
- Storage nearly full — try to keep 20% of the disk free
- A dying SSD or spinning hard drive — this is often the real cause on 4+ year old laptops
PC Manager won’t fix hardware limitations. Time for a hardware refresh conversation with your IT provider.
Related quick wins
Managed LiveSupport clients get automated startup app management, monthly disk cleanup, and hardware refresh recommendations built in. Learn about LiveSupport.